Chapter 26: The Proud and Spoiled Young Uncle's Pregnancy

  As soon as Shen Huan pushed open the door and stepped inside, the first scene he saw was his younger uncle sitting in his usual spot, while his mother-in-law sat with his older brother and Hu Youxuan chatting about something. At a glance, it seemed like a harmonious atmosphere, but Shen Huan knew that if his younger uncle didn't mind, he wouldn't be sitting on the side with a small stool at this moment, after all, there was someone inside who would be studying with him every day in the future.

  Shen Huan also felt a bit embarrassed about this, perhaps... in the hearts of her mother-in-law and younger brother-in-law, there might be different thoughts, but they couldn't say anything because they needed help from their own family.

  "Mother, elder brother, younger uncle, I'm back."

  Actually, as soon as Shen Han walked in, everyone's attention was already on her, but whether or not they saw her was another matter, she still had to greet them.

  "What does Miss Shadow want with you? She looks like she's in a hurry."

  "Nothing... just asking about that thing from before."

  Shen Huan naturally wouldn't mention the matter of her collaboration with Li Shi, and although Mother-in-law was aware of it in her heart, the others present were completely unaware. A glimmer of understanding flashed across Li Shi's eyes, and she beckoned Shen Huan over, saying somewhat reproachfully, "You're back, you're all family, what's the point of buying so many things? Look at how polite Wing Feng is being! Where can we finish eating all this?"

  Mrs. Li said polite words, but when her eyes fell on the pile of supplements and supplies on the table, there was a hint of disgust and dissatisfaction. Shen Huan saw it but couldn't say anything, she could only pretend to be unaware, blaming herself for not thinking carefully at first, thinking that solving the big trouble at home would make everything else okay, but unexpectedly, it still made her mother-in-law uncomfortable. She could only smile and respond: "This is just asking Uncle to help with Yu Xuan's studies, you said we're all one family, so don't be polite."

  What was worrying in her heart still happened, Shen Han could only change with the changing circumstances. Her mother-in-law might be easier to handle, women are always hard-mouthed and soft-hearted, no matter how unhappy they are, as long as they do their own thing well, it's good if she doesn't have other ideas about herself. But this younger uncle was what she really worried about, just Hu Youxuan being reliable or not was already a headache, let alone adding this young uncle who didn't like to interact with strangers?

  In fact, Shen Huan also felt a bit strange. With such a personality and temperament, he might be more suitable to be a teacher in town, teaching children... Is he really suitable for taking the imperial examination?

  "Let's have Fang stay here for dinner, I'll go buy some more things to add to the dishes, Huan'er you go to the kitchen and tidy up first."

  After finishing speaking, Li didn't wait for Shen Han and the others to respond, and rushed towards the door. Shen Han opened her mouth but didn't say anything, turned around and looked at her own older brother, with a somewhat helpless shrug.

  But during this time, Hu Youxuan didn't say a word, only faintly smiling as he watched the interaction between them, his gaze occasionally drifting over to Shen Han's face, but what he was most concerned about was Zhao Xiuzhuo sitting at the door reading a book.

  As for this scholar, he was still somewhat curious about him. Although he didn't have much thought of competing for the top honors in the imperial examination, he came to see this legendary great talent, which became his only purpose for coming to the Zhao's house this time. Of course, it wasn't bad to come and play while avoiding the nagging at home.

  "Does second sister need me to help with anything?"

  The corners of his mouth curled up into a smile that showed no emotion, Hu Youxuan shifted his gaze to Shen Han and spoke out the first words he had said since she entered.

  "The kitchen is a woman's affair, what are you, a big man, doing going in there and causing trouble?"

  Shen Yifeng originally just wanted to let Hu Youxuan sit down, and he would go help out and take the opportunity to get along with Zhao's brothers. Later on, they could often study together and have a chance to understand each other better, so as not to be too abrupt with others. However, he didn't expect that his straightforward words would sound somewhat off, even making Shen Han choke up inside.

  "Tsk tsk tsk...... I don't think that's the case, brother-in-law. My sister said you often help her out in the kitchen..."

  "Haha......haha......this couple is inseparable!"

  Hu Youxuan still has a good impression of his brother-in-law, who is honest and kind to his own sister. Although he doesn't always obey her, at least he never beats or scolds her, and rarely even raises his voice. On the other hand, sometimes his own sister does things that are not pleasing to her younger brother!

  He stopped talking and just looked at Shen Huan with a hint of apology, nodding at her: "Then I'll trouble Second Sister."

  "There's no need to be polite or impolite, family members don't speak in a roundabout way!"

  Shen Han didn't expect that her casual response to Hu Youxuan would prick at Zhao Xiuzhu's heart. Who was this person she didn't even know, and why did they seem so familiar? She had always been unsure of what to make of her sister-in-law, but she wasn't someone who acted without considering the consequences. So why was she being so rash this time?

  Thinking of these things, he couldn't concentrate on reading. Before long, after Shen Huan turned around and entered the kitchen, Zhao Xiuzhu closed the book, got up and walked towards the room: "Brother Shen, you sit for a while, I'll go back to my room for a bit."

  After finishing speaking, Zhao Xiuxiao nodded slightly towards Shen Yifeng and Hu Youxuan, then went back into the house.

  "Youxuan, it's a rare opportunity for you to study with Zhao, so you must work hard and don't let everyone down."

  "Definitely... haha definitely!"

  Zhao Xi'ao didn't pay attention to the conversation outside the door anymore, feeling a bit annoyed he threw down the book in his hand. From young to old, he had always been a gentle and even-tempered person, although a bit cold and not fond of interacting with people. At least he was someone who didn't easily reveal his emotions or lose his temper, allowing his rationality to be swayed. The only exception was when the Shen family married Shen Han over to him as a widow, but his mother hadn't opposed it, which had shocked his moral outlook and made him angry.

  But this time... Zhao Xi'ao felt more and more annoyed, actually this matter wasn't that serious, it was just one more person at home, he could read or not read, it didn't have much to do with himself, but why did his heart feel so unwell?

  It's not like that, staying in the house all the time doesn't seem right either. Zhao Xiuzhuo got up and took off his long shirt, changing into a short one he hadn't worn for ages, which was what he used to wear when helping Li Shi with chores before Shen Huan got married.

  "Zhao brothers this dress is..."

  As soon as Zhao Xi'ao walked out of the room, he received attention from Shen Yifeng and Hu Youxuan. The two saw that he was dressed like a farmer and couldn't help but feel surprised, even shocked. The man who had been sitting silently on one side, yet still exuding an aura of elegance, now appeared in such a guise, which truly astonished them.

  "Shen big brother..."

  "Just call me Youxuan."

  "Uh-huh, you guys sit down first, I'll go take a look at sister-in-law's place and see if there's anything that needs help."

  After finishing speaking, he ignored their astonished expressions and walked directly into the kitchen. Actually, Zhao Xiāo was intentionally doing this, as normally no matter how much help he offered, Li would not let him enter or exit the kitchen. At that moment, a surge of unclear anger ignited within his heart, and with a sudden rush of heat to his forehead, he recalled the conversation between the two people outside just now, and when he thought of the phrase "the kitchen is women's business", Shen Han's face revealed an instant of displeasure, and he couldn't sit still.

  It seemed like he was sulking and also as if he couldn't get along with himself, regardless of his mood, at this moment he had already stood in front of the kitchen door.

  When he saw Shen Huan chopping vegetables with her back to him, the momentum that had driven him to rush in was instantly extinguished. However, he didn't want to retreat now, so he could only stand stiffly at the door, watching his sister-in-law's busy figure with a mixture of embarrassment and foolishness. It wasn't until Shen Huan sensed something amiss and turned her head that their eyes met, and he hastily said, "Sister-in-law!"

  "Little uncle? How...?" He was about to ask why he was dressed like that, but immediately stopped and changed his mind, saying: "Is there something going on?"

  "I just came to take a look, is there anything I can help with?"

  "What can I help you with here? Hurry up and get out before you're affected by the oil fumes, my mother will be back soon and she won't be happy to see you!"

  Someone who usually acts like a great Buddha at home, claiming to help himself, still dares to enter this kitchen with heavy fumes. Normally, he would just pretend to lend a hand, but today, with the big boss and Hu Youxuan both outside, how could he possibly lower his own status?

  Just as Shen Huan said this, he provoked a certain person who was normally calm and peaceful to flare up again. He stared straight into Shen Huan's eyes, his expression serious and solemn, just like the day something happened at home and he was "invited" away, exuding an aura of shock.

  "Isn't it also what Big Sister thinks, that the kitchen is a woman's affair, and I, who just eat without doing any chores, can't even enter the kitchen to help?"

  Upon hearing this, Shen Han couldn't help but feel that she had been deceived. Zhao Xi Qiao, who had always appeared calm and collected, actually revealed his true nature at this moment. All that nonsense about being a great talent, cold and elegant, was just a deception. In reality, he was just an arrogant and spoiled guy, which is why everyone had the illusion of him being a cold and elegant genius. Hmm! It must be that everyone was mistaken!